Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar refused to accept a verbal apology from Dr Shahid Masood (News One Anchorperson) for his astonishing allegations against Imran Ali, the accused in the rape and murder of minor Zainab in Kasur.
Anchorperson Shahid Masood had earlier claimed during a late night show that Imran Ali was a member of a pornography gang. In the earlier hearings of the case, the anchor had also told the court that the accused has 37 foreign accounts.
After a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) investigated Dr Masood’s allegations and revealed that that his claims were false, court told the anchor that it was too late now to apologise.
The CJP reminded Dr Masood that in his programme he had said if his allegations are proved wrong he should be hanged.
The counsel of Dr Masood told the court that his client was prepared to do whatever he was asked to do. Dr Masood apologized twice to the court but the court refused to accept his apologies and CJP said "The time for an apology has now passed." The Judge further said that Dr Masood could continue contesting the case if he wished.
The CJP sought a reply from News One, adjourned the case until March 12.
While Dr Shahid Masood speaking to media outside the court said, that he still stands by the claim he made about Zainab’s murderer being involved in a child pornography ring and will not apologise for them.